Top police officer is arrested over child porn

A senior police officer has been arrested as part of an investigation into child pornography.

Chief Superintendent David Bruce, 43, of the British Transport Police, has been suspended from his job after his arrest. Officers from the Thames Valley force raided Mr Bruce's home in Thurzden, Buckinghamshire, and seized computer equipment.

He is the highest-ranking officer to be seized as part of Operation Ore, the biggest anti-paedophile investigation in the UK. More than 50 other police officers have been arrested.

Evidence was removed in bags from the detached property Mr Bruce shares with wife, Catherine. He has been tipped as a future chief constable and is understood to be on a fast-track promotion scheme.

Police sources said the officer had strenuously denied any involvement with child pornography.

Operation Ore has led to more than 1,200 convictions in Britain.